29 January 2014

With the world turning into a
global village and the prerequisite of skilled individuals taking a vibrant
approach in top industry, the aspiration of pursuing long-term courses in
traditional colleges is constricting – not because a few institutions exist to
offer such courses, but because today's people are more than conscious to study
them while earning their livelihood. Yes, these days the entire scenario of
education has changed. We opt to study short-term courses over long term. It is
owing to the fact that long-term courses take much time in shaping our career
if we compare it with the time consumed by short-term courses.It is challenging in the age where skills and
talents, learned with thorough study (long-term courses)matter much to flourish our career than the
knowledge gained from short-term courses.

My question is, what is the
best way to enhance our knowledge and skills while working an organization?
“Isn't there any alternative that can help us study ourcourses and work in organizations as well? Or
isn't there any way that can help us enhance our talent and skills in the
particular field we are hoping to enhance our career growth? All these questions
have simple answer and that is E-learning. Yes, e-learning is the finest
approach to hone your skills and increase quality knowledge along with working
jobs. Let's understand what the E-learning is all about and what are the
challenges and benefits an individual comes across.

E-learning

In this highly technological
world, online has unearthed as one of the top most sources to solve any issues.
E-learning is the part of it. The effect of online study continues to expand.
It is designed by professionals withan
aim to enable schools, institutes, colleges or universities to educate their
aspirants – whether or not they are engaged in jobs -at cost effective way. With this
availability, those who are separated by space or time have a multitude of choices
to study their courses in order to furnish their skills and knowledge.

In fact, E-learning
programmes are growing miraculously to learn in educational institutions today.
This electronic mode offers extraordinary opportunities to individuals who have
otherwise limited scope to access proper education, who have left their
long-term courses incomplete or who want to expand their knowledge while
working. E-learning is the new paradigm for educators in which dynamic courses
of higher quality can be developed. Through this technology, students are able
to get an excellent method to receive effective education. No doubt, it is the
finest medium of courses delivery unbound by time or location, which provides
applicants with accessibility to get information at any time and from anywhere.

Advantages of E-learning

Here are what existing
institutes offering E-learning courses and those who learn through this medium
say about the benefits of this new way of teaching.

·They
say that e-learning has increased the student's learning. According to them, this
method has enabled those students to complete their education who were not able
to pursue long-term courses for certain reasons.

·Most
of the students indulged with electronic education believe that they
communicate better in a web based environment than in the conventional
classroom. They say that e-learning is good for those students who do not raise
a hand in the classroom are very frank and active to participate in online
discussion programmes.

·While
pursuing their courses online, learners are able to use many technology
resources to gain information and skill required such as online discussion
board, lecture environment, testing and assessment, chats, audio and video
conference, etc.

E-Learning from home: Stockvault

·E-learning
technology continues to become greatly accessed and implemented by the people
and for the people of all walks of life. It is more integrated as an invisible
and ever-present part of a global education system.

·It is
the best resource to design an important skill for corporate trainers and adult
educators to have. Moreover, e-learning is the universal access. Due to the
internet protocols and widely available web browsers, the same training
programme can be delivered to virtually any computer anywhere in the world.

·In
addition, students enjoy cost effective rate to complete their education – no
travel costs to reach schools, no facilities costs if someone applies for
hostels. Most importantly, there is a great amount of time saving. The time
needed for online learning is maximum 50%.

What makes it challenging

Below are certain challenges
for e-learning educators

·It is
important to keep in mind that a good institution cannot rescue the bad online
learning. Hence, educators need to focus on designing the programme, which is a
big challenge for them.

·Institutions
must take technology intensive seriously. E-learning sometimes does depend on a
complex system of software, hardware, protocols and network infrastructure.
Though there is an increase in demand of e-learning, but technical problems
continue to occur. There is a need of quality technical support

·Information
measure is the major concern – audio, video, including other rich media
components are needed for high-speed connections. Lack of it puts a strain on
limited-capacity organizational networks.

·There
are some courses in which face-to-face training is a 'must have' requirement.
E-learning does not provide this opportunity. This may seem to be an issue in
any organization where training is seen as a peak.

·In
order to offer quality and successful E-learning programme, it is essential for
institutions to re-examine the goals of their course, activities, and
assessment methods. If they do not, they are spoiling career of one who studies
with them.

·In an
online course, to create an effective sense of community is challenging.
Whereas, in a traditional course, the community develops naturally. An online
education programme provided by institutes should include "getting to know
their candidates" activities.

Conclusion

Overall, it can be said that
E-learning course is the better option for those candidates who are unable to
find sufficient time to attend the regular classes in schools or institutes.
Before applying for an online course, they should ensure that the institute
they are going to apply is able to provide them with proper assistance to
educate them or not. It will be the best approach for students to enhance their
education and increase knowledge even after they are engaged in their jobs.

Author bio : Sumit
Dawas is a leading content strategist for www.learnwithflip.com, alargest e- training and certification
offering inBanking and finance in
India.